Goat Delivery

Today some friends asked us if we would like to mind their two goats for a few days while they go away. Yipee, it feels like Christmas, especially since one of them is a milker! We had goats of our own last summer and have missed them ever since we decided to pass them on. Ask most people what they think of goats and they will raise their eyes to heaven and the following outburst of disrespect will generally include words such as ‘the devils spawn’ or 'evil'. Either they have had a bad goat, of which there are few, or they have never had a goat at all. Our goat, Meadowsweet, was like a beautiful big affectionate dog. Yes she had a mind of her own and could be obstreperous when she felt like it, but there were far more endearing qualities that dominated her gentle personality. They are so inquisitive, always checking out over the hedge what the family is up to. Looking at us leaving as if to say ‘where the heck do you think your all going without me?’ and then on our return ‘what time do you call this?’ sort of attitude. And then theres the ‘just milk me’ look, shortly followed by ‘hey do you think I’m made of milk’ kick of the bucket, normally about 60 seconds before you would have decided to stop milking.

Five minutes after agreeing to goatsit, another neighbour drove by and asked if he could pop two 6 month old kid goats into our field for a few days. So this evening we are goat city again!

Tempted? Don’t get a goat if you are likely to have a nervous breakdown when she breaks out tucks into your favourite rosebush, its inevitable. You also need to be extremely fit because handling this little bag of muscle and determination takes a certain type of ‘tough love’ persona! And please take on board that if your goat is a milker, that means twice a day, every day, no days off, forever. Unless of course you have me as a neighbour!

Now, check back tomorrow, just after my first milking with the new girl, and see how we got on!

Comments

[dottyspots]

Lucky you! I'd love to have some goats, but living in a terrace doesn't really lend itself well to that sort of thing :) I'm looking into either renting or buying some land with a few friends so that we can share the responsibility between us, then, hopefully, I'll be able to go forward with it. My mother wants some goats too, but as they have sheep already, she's better set up for it than I am. Lovely blog, I've bookmarked you and look forward to reading more :)

[Rebecca]

I enjoyed the visit from the goats, they were gorgeous, but it also reminded about the huge commitment. I suppose its a bit like the benefits of being a Grandparent, you get to give them back!